Kuehl, Renae

There is National movement and legislation regarding Complete Streets with significance for impacts on Local Agencies. The Minnesota Local Road Research Board funded the development of this “Complete Streets Implementation Resource Guide” that is intended as a guide to local agencies interested in developing their own policy. This resource includes an overview on Complete Streets, a brief synthesis of local and national practices, an understanding of the various terms and definitions, guidance on implementation and a summary of agencies in MN with Complete Streets with complete streets policies or other guidance and projects in MN related to Complete Streets.

Pavement Management Systems (PMSs) are cost effective tools for helping local agency engineers manage the significant investment that has been made in their pavements. PMSs can also estimate future pavement conditions. This capability supports local engineers in making critical funding decisions about valuable pavement assets. Like any computerized system, PMSs are only as good as the data that is put into them and the analysis algorithms that drive them. Data collection, validation, and updating can be expensive. Accurate life cycle analysis is critical for making a PMS effective. However, automation and other new tools offer opportunities for reducing costs and improving the results coming out of PMSs. This report was developed as a resource for Minnesota local agencies, focusing on the capabilities, applications, and benefits of current pavement management systems used on local road systems in Minnesota. This resource will provide information to help local agencies without a PMS to evaluate, select, and justify the purchase and operational costs of a PMS; additionally, it will help local agencies who have a PMS to better use and enhance their capabilities.

This document was developed as a resource for local governments to learn how to use contracting processes in a more cost-effective manner to, 1) let projects, 2) construct projects, and, 3) ensure quality projects. The Minnesota LRRB developed this resource on Innovative Contracting, designed as a guide to provide local government with guidance on a number of topics including: • Mn/DOT’s Innovative Contracting Website • Minnesota Local Government Experience • Contracting 101 • Best Value Procurement for Contractors • Force Account (State Aid) • Bidder Qualification • Alternate Bidding The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) has been a leader in communicating information about innovative contracting to the public. They have developed a dedicated office that deals solely with Innovative Contracting, a website that contains a wealth of knowledge n the topic and has a tremendous staff base to guide the public on the use of innovative contracting techniques.

This resource was developed to assist agencies in implementing a street sweeping best practice. The Technical Advisory Panel decided these best practices are most useful for application in the State of Minnesota. These information sheets are designed to provide technical staff, policy and decision makers with guidance on a number of topics including: Best Practices Overview, Types of Sweepers, Reasons for Sweeping and Sweeping and Roadway Function. This series of information sheets were put together for agencies to develop criteria to enhance the street sweeping process. The four information sheets are intended to be used as a group, highlighting the different components that should be considered when implementing/enhancing a street sweeping program.

Technical summary of Guardrail Replacement and Maintenance Guidelines.

Guardrail maintenance is a key component of protecting the roadside, but there is uncertainty as to how to maintain the various guardrails and end treatments that are currently in use. Local jurisdictions continue to perform guardrail maintenance but there are no current guidelines to ensure that maintenance practices are to standard and are consistent throughout the state. These guidelines summarize current issues, the accepted approved guardrail types and end treatments used in Minnesota, inspection and maintenance practices for guardrails and resources and standards on guardrails and end treatments. Appendices A and B provide quick reference sheets to highlight the guardrails and end treatments currently used in Minnesota and the suggested use of each type.

Summary report of Toward Zero Deaths – Maintaining a Safer Roadway Workshop.

The Local Road Research Board has developed a workshop on “Maintaining a Safer Roadway” that provides education to maintenance staff on how they can make our roads safer. Local Agency maintenance forces are in the best position to be the “eyes and ears” for Local Agencies when it comes to identifying situations, that when addressed, could greatly improve safety for the traveling public.

Summary of report titled Sign Retroreflectivity – A Minnesota Toolkit.

The Minnesota LRRB has developed a Sign Retroreflectivity Toolkit that is designed to provide local governments, especially small cities and townships, with guidance on FHWA’s sign retroreflectivity deadlines as well as resources they can use to meet these deadlines.